Biomimetic, self-healing occlusive hydrogel membranes for effective guided bone regeneration.
INTRODUCTION Conventional guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes have several limitations, including insufficient tissue adhesion, limited mechanical stability, and poor adaptability to irregular defect geometries. Polysaccharide-bassed biomaterials play a significant role in dental care owing to their biological activity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability that can be applicable as GBR membranes. OBJECTIVES In this study, we developed a self-healing hydrogel-type occlusive membrane, termed HAPPHy hydrogel, composed of nano-hydroxyapatite, polyvinyl alcohol, and phenylboronic acid‑conjugated hyaluronic acid for guided bone regeneration. METHODS To investigate the viscoelastic properties with self-healing and injectable properties of the hydrogels, rheological studies were performed. The tissue adhesiveness of hydrogels was measured using a modified lap shear test. Osteoblast induction by the hydrogels was evaluated using human umbilical cord-derived stem cells. Bone regeneration by the occlusive hydrogel membranes was assessed in calvarial defect models. RESULTS The hydrogel exhibits mechanical properties comparable to those of natural gingival tissue, minimizing the stiffness mismatch and risk of wound dehiscence. In vitro studies showed favorable biocompatibility, osteoadhesion, sustained structural stability under repeated mechanical stress, and fibroblast-excluding capacity. In addition, HAPPHy hydrogels maintained defect coverage and were associated with improved bone regeneration in a mouse calvarial defect model. CONCLUSION HAPPHy hydrogels showed favorable physicochemical, mechanical, and biological performance and may represent potential candidates for further investigation as an occlusive membrane for guided bone regeneration.